PAT’S PICKLOSOPHY TIP #4 "THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINNERS AND “OTHERS” IS IN HOW YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR MATCH"

Proper
Prior
Preparation
Prevents
Poor
Pickleball
Performance

Many competitive players enter the court for their match with little or no thought to conditions of the weather, courts, and type of ball. IF CONDITIONS ARE NOT IDEAL, LOSERS COMPLAIN AND WINNERS ADJUST!

Knowing the difference in surfaces can prevent unnecessary frustration.

• On outdoor courts there can be big differences in the bounce of the ball. A rougher surface is described as “slow”, and will cause the ball to slow after the bounce and at times it will set up for the hit. This requires awareness that you will need to move closer to the bounce in order to hit the shot with optimum balance and control. A smoother surface, described as “fast”, can cause the ball to actually skid off the bounce and stay lower. This requires that you will need to allow a greater distance between the bounce and your contact with the hit. Balls most often used on outdoor courts will be a relatively hard surface with small holes to reduce the affects of wind. Cold weather will increase the pace of the ball, and warm weather will slow the ball.
• Indoor courts are usually a wooden gymnasium surface, and will often be much faster than outdoor courts. For this reason, there are balls designed specifically with softer surfaces and larger holes to reduce the speed off the bounce.
• Windy conditions require more rapid footwork, and choosing larger targets for your shots. Be aware of the wind direction when selecting which end of the court you want to start the match. If it is a side wind, I will prefer to start on the end which blows toward my forehand (simply because I have more reach with my forehand). This choice puts my opponents on the end where the wind will be blowing the ball toward and away from their backhand, where they have less reach. Also keep in mind whether you and your opponents are right-handed or left-handed. If it is blowing in the direction of the court, most players will choose to play with the wind rather than against it; but I find that the soft game is easier when playing against the wind. This should depend on personal preference of you and your partner.

Now that you have properly prepared for the conditions of your match, it’s time to “size up your opponents.”This will be the focus of next month’s TIP